Drug dealer who was armed with knife is jailed after police conduct stop and search in Cambridge

A drug dealer has been jailed after he was found with a knife on the streets of Cambridge thanks to a proactive stop and search by two police officers.

Marwan Al-Khalaf, 21, was spotted acting suspiciously outside a shop on patrol in Emanuel Street, just after 10pm on February 23, 2020.

When Al-Khalaf saw them, he immediately ran away but was quickly detained by the pursuing officers.

When asked why he had run away he said: “I’m not going to lie to you, I have a knife.”

A search revealed he had a knife, cash and multiple mobile phones. He was arrested and an investigation found the phones were being used to deal class A drugs.

Al-Khalaf, of Brazen Gate, Norwich, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was jailed for four years on Friday (August 26) at Peterborough Crown Court.

PC Ross Spalthoff said: “Thanks to this excellent proactive policing, there is one less drug dealer on the streets of Cambridge.

“I hope this sentence makes it clear that drug dealing does not pay, it is not an affluent lifestyle and it will attract robust prison sentences.”

If you suspect drug dealing is taking place where you live, report it to at www.cambs.police.uk/report